over
friends who may be influential; still, if you really wish it, Hilda,
I'll come home to-night and make some sort of excuse to Danvers--wire to
him that I am ill, or something of the kind. Of course it is too late
for me to get tickets for the play, but if you would like me to stay at
home, I'll--I'll do it--so there!"

Hilda's face, which had been white, was now flushed.

"Why didn't you tell me this morning?" she said. "Why did you forget? I
spent a day of hope, and now--now----" Her eyes filled with sudden
tears, she bit her lips and turned away.

Her action, which seemed almost pettish, annoyed Quentyns.

"You needn't cry," he said. "I never supposed you could be so childish.
Do you think I forgot on purpose? I was looking forward to my time at
Richmond, but it slipped my memory that this was the day. You needn't
cry, however, for if you have suddenly taken such a frantic desire for
my society, it is at your service. I shall go out and wire to Danvers,
and be back again in half an hour."

After all, Mrs. Quentyns had plenty of self-control. The annoyance and
distress in her voice had altogether left it when she spoke again.

"Of course you must go, Jasper," she said. "You don't suppose for a
quarter of an instant that I should stand in your way. Let me go up with
you and help you to put the things you want into a bag, and you will
want some tea before you start. I'll ring and tell Susan to prepare it.
Now come along, dear; I'm glad of course that you are having this
pleasure."

As Hilda ran upstairs her manner was once more quite cheerful. Quentyns,
however, whose conscience was smiting him, although he didn't know it,
could not help acting more or less like a bear with a sore head.

"I shouldn't have accepted the invitation," he said, "upon my word I
shouldn't, did I not know that you would have Judy to keep you company.
You know I haven't that passion for children you have, and----"

The door was closed behind the two.

"Don't say any more," said Hilda, in a frightened sort of voice. "I told
you I was glad that you were to have the pleasure. Now which bag will
you take? Will the small Gladstone be large enough?"

Ten minutes later Quentyns had left the house in a hansom, and Hilda
went up to Judy's room.

"Come downstairs, darling," she said, "we are to have another long
evening all to ourselves. What a good thing I've got my sweet little
sister to stay at home with me. Judy, this was to be a fes